UNDP Jobs - 59496- Peace and Development Advisor

Peace and Development Advisor

Location :

Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

02-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Sierra Leone is on a path of cautiously consolidating peace and democratic norms after the devastating 10-year civil war, which ended in 2002. The recovery and peace building efforts led by the Government have been supported by the United Nations. Sierra Leone came on the agenda of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) in 2007 and has received Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) support for its peacebuilding efforts implemented by the various Special Missions and the UN Country Team (UNCT).

It is important for the UN to continue to support efforts aimed at preventing and mitigating conflict, which may arise at the local and national levels due to political north – south polarization and probable intra-party and / or tribal tensions. The PDA will support the UNCT in peacebuilding and conflict prevention programming, as well as conflict-sensitive development programming more broadly, premised on the ongoing provision of conflict and political analysis to inform the UN’s engagements.

The outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) presented significant challenges for the stability and development of Sierra Leone. It stretched the Government’s resources and capacities to respond and delayed a number of critical initiatives in areas such as governance and peacebuilding, including the constitutional review process and reform of the security sector. It is critical for the UN to continue to support the government in advancing these initiatives. With the country emerging from the EVD outbreak and with all efforts focused on facilitating recovery, a Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) will be deployed to ensure these broader efforts are conflict-sensitive, while also providing strategic guidance to the UN’s engagement in peacebuilding and governance.

Working under the Overall supervision of the UN RR/RC, and in line with the standard operating procedures of the joint UNDP/DPA programme on Building National Capacities for Conflict Prevention, the PDA will liaise closely with DPA, UNDP, and PBSO regarding any work that requires guidance and advice from HQ.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic and analytical advice on political issues related to Sierra Leone to the RC/RR in his relations with government officials, academia, civil society, and with the wider civil society leadership. Meet with the leadership of the political parties as and when deemed necessary. Track trends and monitor political dynamics to ensure that the RC is fully aware of changes in the landscape and able to engage with other multilateral stakeholders to ensure the development trajectory is maintained.

Provide ongoing analysis to the RC/RR, UNCT, and UN Headquarters (UNDP, DPA, PBSO) on political and governance developments as well as conflict dynamics with a view to identifying appropriate ‘entry points’ for conflict prevention management and recommending appropriate strategic responses for the UN system, including at the regional level.

Provide monitoring and analysis of the political situation in the country, as well as strategic guidance to the UN Country Team and national partners as Sierra Leone moves towards crucial parliamentary and presidential elections expected in 2017 / 18.

Provide substantive leadership for strategic initiatives on conflict prevention, including convening on behalf of the RR/RC dialogue processes and undertaking regular liaison with key counterparts with national government, political parties, and civil society, particularly with regard to the ongoing constitutional review process, upcoming elections, and national census, keeping in mind the challenges associated and exacerbated by the recovery from the EVD outbreak.

Monitor SSR efforts and processes and analyze and advise on their impact on peacebuilding.

Under the direction of the RC/RR, engage with other national and international institutions and initiatives in order to promote a common approach towards supporting social cohesion, governance, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and other relevant efforts.

Liaise with national, regional, and international stakeholders from State and Non-State Actors and civil society (including women and youth groups, in particular) to identify entry points, foster dialogue and strengthen strategic alliances and partnerships on conflict prevention, reconciliation and confidence-building initiatives, particularly with regard to key activities and milestones related to the constitutional review, upcoming elections, and national consensus.

Help establish and strengthen the UN’s strategic partnerships through activities associated with the PBC Sierra Leone Configuration and the Peacebuilding Fund.

Assist the RC in close collaboration with PBSO on PBC engagement in Sierra Leone in support of peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives and developing appropriate strategic responses through various PBC activities.

Provide guidance and management support to the UNCT in developing peacebuilding plans and identifying potential funding sources for peacebuilding initiatives.

Strengthen capacity of UN programming to respond to conflict dynamics, including through adjusting ongoing programming pertaining to peacebuilding to better address immediate “triggers” as well as structural causes, consider gender dimensions of peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

Lead ongoing analysis efforts, including those related to the implementation of PBF-activities, and support UNDP and UN Country Team agencies in the design and implementation of conflict-sensitive programming.

Provide strategic and technical guidance to UNDP programming in areas related to governance and peacebuilding, particularly in relation to constitutional and electoral-related support.

Provide support to the UNCT in developing gender-responsive peacebuilding interventions, promoting women’s participation (1325) and decision-making in peacebuilding processes and supporting greater gender equality throughout.

Provide effective management, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the engagement of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in Sierra Leone (including relevant governance mechanisms for PBF resources).

Coordinate analysis and research of information regarding potential and current donors.

Support resource mobilization and fund management in support of peacebuilding, governance and conflict prevention.

Engage with other international, sub-regional and national actors to promote common and coordinated approaches towards supporting the peace process and peacebuilding.

Expected Results of PDA Deployment

Enhanced capacity of national partners and UN Country Team for conflict and peacebuilding analysis and strategy development;

Enhanced capacity of the UNCT to support national stakeholders to peaceful management of key governance milestones including the implementation of the constitutional review, upcoming elections and national census.

Improved design, implementation, monitoring and reporting on peacebuilding projects/programmes;

Strengthened capacity for formulating, implementing and monitoring social cohesion and reconciliation efforts as well as peacebuilding interventions.

Increased conflict sensitivity in programming and operations.

Systematic integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the peacebuilding portfolio; Enhanced dialogue between the UN and other national stakeholders including government, Parliament, military, Non-State Actors, civil society, academia, and think-tanks/research institutions.

Expanded partnerships with international stakeholders and donors.

Strengthened UN system support to the peace process and peacebuilding efforts.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional Competencies:

Strong political acumen and extensive experience of providing policy advice and sound written reporting skills;
In-depth knowledge and first-hand experience of programme management cycle;
Well-developed skills and demonstrated experience in facilitation, consensus-building, multi-stakeholder processes and negotiation;
Excellent analytical skills;
Experience and specialist knowledge in building national and local capacities in governance and building national reconciliation;
Possesses specialist knowledge in the area of conflict prevention management, social cohesion, dialogue and governance reform or related areas as well as in-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues including gender mainstreaming;
Sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national and civil society counterparts;
Proven ability to incorporate into his/her work relevant international practices.

Management Competencies:

Excellent team-building, diplomatic and interpersonal skills;
Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment;
Sound time management with full understanding of matrix management and organizational skills with the ability to handle and delegate multiple tasks;
Ability to coordinate and build strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Ability to mobilize resources and manage funds;
Capacity to work under pressure, manage stress and adapt to rapidly evolving situations;

Behavioral Competencies:

Team player, self-motivated and initiative taking, dedicated, creative, resourceful, flexible, energetic and sound judgment.
Builds strong relationships with partners, focusing on impact and results;
Demonstrates creativity, openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Possesses positive and constructive attitudes to work;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in political science, sociology, international relations, law, public administration, or related social sciences.

Experience:

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in conflict analysis, policy, and strategy development, development and/or conflict prevention in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization;
A proven policy, advisory and advocacy experience and track record of engagement with senior levels of government, United Nations, and donors;
Experience working within a UN agency and experience in or understanding of managing Multi-Donor Trust Fund in a peacebuilding context would be an asset;
Proven experience in development programming, modalities, and rules and regulations;
Knowledge of and experience of Sierra Leone and surrounding region, including in conflict prevention initiatives, is an advantage;
Experience in mainstreaming gender equality within programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation

Language:

Fluency in English, including excellent writing skills.